Gypsophila plant named ‘Pearl Blossom’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Gypsophila  named ‘Pearl Blossom’ particularly characterized by vigorous growth potency and uniform flowering; high yields, especially after pruning; low artificial light requirements; relatively late flowering (9 to 10 weeks during summer and 14 to 15 weeks during late autumn); long, heavy, and stable branches that are of high quality year-round, pinching increases the stem number to a range of 7 to 9 heavy stems and up to 15 stems of medium size and weight; has big, white flowers that are full and of uniformly good quality year-round without distortion or color change; is convenient to harvest and use in floral arrangements; has a long vase life; and has good tolerance to Powdery Mildew, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Gypsophila paniculata L.

Variety denomination: ‘Pearl Blossom’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofGypsophila, botanically known Gypsophila paniculata L., and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Pearl Blossom’. ‘Pearl Blossom’ wasdiscovered as a seedling resulting from an open pollination in April2007 in Moshav Amioz, Negev, Israel among a group of unnamed Gypsophilapaniculata L. plants. A single plant selection was subsequently chosenfor further evaluation and for asexual propagation.

The new cultivar was first propagated in September 2007 in Moshav Amioz,Negev, Israel and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetativecuttings in Moshav Amioz, Negev, Israel for two years (approximately 10generations). ‘Pearl Blossom’ has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive asexual vegetative cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have been applied for in Israelon Aug. 21, 2008. ‘Pearl Blossom’ has not been made publicly availablemore than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal commercialpractices in open field cultivation (soil) in Moshav Amioz, Negev,Israel.

-   -   1. Vigorous growth potency and uniform flowering;    -   2. Relatively late flowering, 9 to 10 weeks during summer, 14 to        15 weeks during late autumn;    -   3. High yield, especially after pruning;    -   4. Low artificial light requirements;    -   5. Branches are stable, long, heavy, and of high quality all        year round;    -   6. Pinching increases the stem number to a range of 7 to 9 heavy        stems, up to 15 stems of medium size and weight;    -   7. Big, white flowers that are full and of uniformly good        quality all year round without distortion or color change;    -   8. Convenient to harvest and use in floral arrangements;    -   9. Long vase life; and    -   10. Good tolerance to Powdery Mildew.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Gypsophila plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtainedby conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a plantabout 10 weeks old in August 2009 and grown from rooted cuttings in openfield cultivation (soil) in Moshav Amioz, Negev, Israel under conditionswhich approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

FIG. 1 shows a flowering stem.

FIG. 2 shows a close up of the flowers and buds.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Pearl Blossom’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inMoshav Amioz, Negev, Israel during the summer of 2009. The plant historywas taken on 10 week-old plants in open field cultivation (soil) thatwere pinched once on June 30, 2009. The color readings were determinedunder natural light. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart ofThe Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Genus and species.—Gypsophila paniculata L.        -   Common name.—Baby's Breath.        -   Variety name.—‘Pearl Blossom’.-   Plant:    -   -   Form.—Upright shrub type.        -   Habit.—Perennial.        -   Plant height.—100 cm.        -   Plant width (spread).—60 cm.        -   Flowering habit.—Year round in periodic flushes depending on            growing conditions.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—10 weeks from            planting to flowering during the summer.        -   Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots.—2 to 3 weeks.        -   Root description.—Light brown, woody spike main root with            branched fibrillary secondary roots.-   Flowering stems:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—7 to 9.        -   Color.—RHS 147C (Yellow-Green).        -   General description.—Panicle.        -   Stem strength.—Stable.        -   Length.—80 cm.        -   Diameter.—50 cm.        -   Internode length.—6 to 7 cm at upper part.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color, immature leaf.—Upper surface: RHS 137A (Green). Lower            surface: RHS 137B (Green).        -   Color, mature leaf.—Upper surface: RHS 137A (Green). Lower            surface: RHS 137B (Green).        -   Length.—9.0 cm.        -   Width.—1.5 cm.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A (Green). Lower            surface: RHS 137B (Green).        -   Petiole.—Absent.-   Flowers:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Compound cymes with numerous double            flowers, panicle shaped.        -   Flowering season.—Year-round under 12 hours light and above.        -   Lastingness of individual flowers on the plant.—10 to 12            days.        -   Lastingness of the flowers as a cut flower.—10 to 12 days.        -   Flower width.—0.9 cm.        -   Flower depth.—0.6 cm.        -   Flower shape.—Oblate and consisting of many petals.        -   Fragrance.—Typical of Gypsophila.        -   Number of inflorescences per plant.—7 to 9.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—400 to 600, dependent            upon how the stem is cut.        -   Inflorescence.—Length (height): 80 cm. Diameter: 50 cm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.5 mm. Strength: Stable.            Texture: Glabrous. Color: RHS 147C (Yellow-Green).-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—80 cm to 90 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.7 cm at the basal end.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—RHS 147C (Yellow-Green).-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—RHS 155A (White).        -   Shape.—Oblate.        -   Length.—0.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.4 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Globular.        -   Quantity.—40 to 50.        -   Shape.—Spathulate.        -   Apex.—Emarginated-wavy.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Size.—Length: 0.4 cm. Width: 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—When opening and fully opened: Upper surface: RHS            155D (White). Lower surface: RHS 155D (White).        -   Surface texture (for both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.-   Sepals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Cup-shaped.        -   Quantity.—5 to 7.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Size.—Length: 0.3 cm. Width: 0.1 cm.        -   Color, both upper and lower surfaces.—RHS 147C            (Yellow-Green).        -   Surface texture, both upper and lower surfaces.—Pubescent.-   Reproductive organs: None observed-   Fruit and seed set: None observed-   Disease and insect resistance: Typical of species, with a relative    resistance to Powdery Mildew.

COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL CULTIVAR

‘Pearl Blossom’ differs from the commercial comparison variety‘Perfecta’ (patent status unknown) in that ‘Pearl Blossom’ has lowartificial light requirements and has a good tolerance to PowderyMildew, while ‘Perfecta’ has high artificial light requirements and issensitive to Powdery Mildew.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gypsophila plant named ‘Pearl Blossom’as shown and described herein.